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Best Video Conferencing Setup For Church Services

Video conferencing is one of the most effective methods of leading congregations, conducting church services, meetings, and ministering to one’s community even from a great amount of distance. For this purpose, a number of video conference setups can be used. In this way, if one can’t make it to the Church, they can easily let their church make it to them!

In this article, a detailed description of the various tools and setups to go virtual will be unpacked. This shall enable one to maximize their impact of ministry and keep their congregations going even if they’re physically absent from the church!

Why should a church or place of worship opt for video conferencing?

In cases of not being able to be physically present at important conferences, cancellation should no longer be an option! With the easy provision of video conferencing provided by a number of platforms, one can now be present at church services and meets from anywhere and at any time. Several setups even guarantee additional features such as bible reading, inter-personal messaging chains, etc., to make online sessions even more engaging for all.

Some of the famously known video conferencing setups have been listed below, along with a detailed description of the required tools and mechanisms.

Types of video conferencing setups for church services

The internet offers a great variety of video conferencing setup platforms ranging from free to paid ones. Depending upon the church’s budget and size of the meetings, one can opt for any one of the following recommended options.

Church apps

While a number of video conferencing setups are easily available to make one’s online church gatherings and services easy-going and fun, one of the most suitable apps include the church apps equipped with inbuilt services for church meets and tithing.

One of the highly recommended church apps includes the Tithe.ly church app available on get.tithe.ly/church-app.  This app is not only available at a reasonable cost but also constitutes inbuilt bible reading and wall, along with inter-personal message tools during tithing. Church apps are, however, often misunderstood and misused.

Zoom

Zoom is one of the best options for virtual video conferencing setups to conduct church services successfully. It not only enables one to create an account for free but also includes live streaming services to Facebook and YouTube live.

One can easily host a meeting of 100 people with a 40-minute timing limit. For additional features such as 24-hour meetings and custom URL’s, a small payment is required. Zoom is one of the most feasible choices for small churches to conduct services at low budgets.

Christian World Media

Christian World Media is one of the most popular video conferencing setups for church services. They’re highly dedicated to ministries and are known for putting in their best efforts to organize virtual meets in accordance with the church’s budgetary abilities. This again is a suitable option for small churches to go for.

YouTube live-streaming

YouTube is another famously known tool for conducting virtual video conference sessions with your church. If your church holds a YouTube channel, one effective way to stream your church’s services is with the use of webcams such as Mevoplus.

Churchstreaming.tv

Churchstreaming.tv is a popular live streaming platform for church services and events. However, it is an expensive option for small churches. It includes features such as video replays, audio extraction, trimming of videos, and live streaming.

Google chat interactive sessions

Advanced Google hangout tools allow live-streaming sessions to be conducted for 100,000 people and video meetings for 250. Although Google interactive sessions for virtual video conferencing are often seen as an inferior option to zoom, it’s a suitable choice in certain cases of relatively large gatherings.

Skype

Skype, now part of Microsoft, is the veteran video conferencing and chatting tool. This is one of the most suitable options for conducting video conferences in small churches. It allows calls with up to 10 people to be conducted and includes additional expandable services related to collaboration, cloud storage, etc.

Join.me

This is an online meeting platform with video conferencing, screen sharing, calendar plug-ins, unlimited audio with international conferences, recording, meeting lock, and reporting facilities.

Eztalks

Eztalks is an online conferencing platform that allows 100 people to join a meeting together for 40-minute calls for free. Additional paid features include unlimited calling time, whiteboards, private chats, recording, playback, and collaboration tools.

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is an online conferencing platform that was initially created for the purpose of screen sharing. Its features now include a meeting scheduler, build-in audio, drawing tools, HD video, joining from mobile or laptop, hand-over control, and virtual whiteboards. Premium accounts hold additional features.

In addition to the aforementioned video conference setups, other free tools with lesser features and paid tiers include:

• Amazon Chime
• com (free services available but may ask for donations)
• by (free services with paid tiers)
• Facebook Messenger (free services)

Tools required for conducting a successful church video conference

A smoothly functioning device

One of the greatest advantages of video conferences is the flexibility with which these can be conducted easily using phones and laptops. However, it is always preferred to use smoothly functioning devices to avoid screen freeze and other disruptions during the conference.

Proper lighting

For video conferences to be conducted successfully, proper lighting is considered important to avoid any shadows or distorted views. Being able to see the host keeps the audience engaged throughout the conference.

Bandwidth

When opting for video conferencing to conduct church services, meetings, and congregations, having good bandwidth is extremely important to avoid any interruptions or chaotic situations. Continuously disrupting internet connections can often lead to a lack of focus amongst the audience, ultimately leading them to lose interest.

Microphone

Leaders of church congregations are expected to have good microphones to project their voice clearly to the audience. A number of options for the same can be easily found on online networking sites at reasonable rates.

Pros and cons of video conferencing setups for church services

Video conferencing setups for conducting church meets and services consist of both pros and cons. This includes the following:

Pros

• Engaging
• Reaching out to a real-time audience
• Cost-effective
• Time-saving

Cons

• Issues of troubleshooting
• Connection problems
• Requirements of a device
• It can be difficult to control the audience

Things to keep in mind

Proper communication skills

Excellent and precise communication skills are the primary requirement for conducting successful church virtual meets through video conferencing. Being the host, it’s really important for one to ensure that messages and all necessary information are reached to the group in time. One must also keep a check on whether everyone is joining the conference, text messaging chain, or call through the right networking channels.

Proper instructions to avoid chaos

Wanting every individual to un-mute themselves during a video conference to increase levels of participation can be tempting. However, in such cases, a chaotic situation can be easily created in no time.

Thus, to avoid any cacophonies, it’s always recommended to provide proper instructions to all participants about remaining mute from the beginning of the conference. This helps in canceling out any undesirable background noises and makes it easier for the person speaking to share.

Setting a proper outline for the meeting

It is always better to lay down a proper framework of the meeting before the involved audience to avoid any chaos. Under this, one can prepare an introductory session for the participants to be familiarized with the conference decorum and things to avoid. One can even choose to prepare an ordered list of candidates to speak so as to avoid a ruckus during the meeting.

Physical absence from the church under any circumstance should no longer be a matter of concern. With the help of internet facilities and the aforementioned video conferencing setups, one can now easily minister to their audience and set an example of perseverance and determination in terms of conducting events and services.

To avoid a ruckus, one can easily make use of the wide variety of embedded features available on platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Church Apps, And Church Media Websites.

This shall not only be an innovative and efficient way of holding services but also prove to be a lot more engaging for those involved in the congregation. However, for the successful conduction of video conferences, one must pay heed to the tools required in the form of smooth electronic devices, proper bandwidth, good microphones, lighting, and a properly laid down framework of the meeting.